Health & Wellbeing Brothers set for 24-hour beach walk

Brothers, Luke and Joseph Hawker, are taking on a unique fundraising challenge in aid of Diverse Abilities, on July 1. They will be walking the sevenmile stretch of Bournemouth and Poole beaches for 24 hours non-stop.

The route will be up and down the coastline from Sandbanks Beach Office to Hengistbury Head for a full 24 hours. Adapting to whatever weather conditions this weekend will bring, they will be contending with no sleep and meals on the go.

The pair’s chosen charity, Diverse Abilities, supports people who have life-long disabilities as well as complex medical needs.

Their services are open to them and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therefore, this challenge pays homage to the work of the charity but also aims to highlight the struggles families face living with disability.

The idea came from Luke, a Trust and Grants Fundraiser at Diverse Abilities. He said:

“I was inspired to take on a 24-hour challenge that had never been done before.

“As the seven-mile stretch of Bournemouth and Poole

Dorset - which is the core area Diverse Abilities covers - walking it for a straight 24 hours seemed to represent the charity very well, and of course, has never been done before. “The beach is also a highly diverse and accessible place.

Could you spare time to help the community?

Dorset Council’s Health and Activity Team are looking for volunteers to help lead health walks.

Health walks are free guided walks that support people to get into a regular habit of exercise and can be between 30 to 90 minutes in length. They’re a great way to meet new people and walk in good company, and to give your own health and wellbeing a boost.

We are looking for new health walk leaders to help our team of volunteers in East Dorset, but particularly in Corfe Mullen, Ferndown and Wimborne.

To express your interest please email dorsethealthwalks@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or if you would like a chat with a member of the team, call 01425 480811.

This is what Diverse Abilities is all about.”

Luke will be joined by his brother, Joseph, who is a teacher currently living in Doha, Qatar. He is flying over to the UK especially for the challenge. The brothers are expected to be joined by more than 20 friends, family and colleagues at certain points throughout the day, including their childhood friends, Emilio Crespi, Connor Oliver and James Crana. SoBo Beach, located on Southbourne beach, is supporting the challenge by supplying Luke and Joe and their core team with food and refreshments for the duration of the walk.

For more information about the challenge, and to sponsor Luke and Joseph, visit their JustGiving page: Luke Hawker is fundraising for Diverse Abilities (justgiving.com) You can find more about the charity at diverseabilities.org.uk

Supporting carers in the county

If you’re caring for a loved one and need extra support, then check out the assistance on offer from Crisp – the Carer’s Information Service. Covering both the BCP and Dorset Council areas, the free service supports family/ unpaid carers looking after someone who would not be able to manage without their support.

Members will receive a welcome pack including information about local events for carers and a carer’s discount card. The service can also advise on how to access respite breaks and a free, emergency back-up scheme.

More info here: carersuk.org/ help-and-advice/get-support/ local-support?

Health & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing